Transgender Culture Q&A
newsnet5.com has enlisted the help of two therapists, who have worked extensively with transgender clients, to offer advice and insight while many are watching Bruce Jenner's exclusive interview on ABC's 20/20.
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Thanks for joining our live Q&A! Our experts:Xavier Spencer, licensed independent marriage and family therapist, sex therapist and licensed chemical dependency counselor, is a staff therapist at Nancy Lowrie and Associates, LLC in Strongsville and Cleveland Heights.Amy Urbanowicz, Licensed Independent Marriage & Family Therapist with a Gestalt/Holistic Therapeutic Orientation, has 9 years experience with individuals, couples, families and groups.
www.amyurbanowicz.com -
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Hi everyone, welcome to the chat! Welcome your thoughts, experiences, questions.... -
We're hosting this chat to correspond with Bruce Jenner's interview on ABC's 20/20, during which he speaks about his gender identity. Does anyone have questions about gender identity our experts may be able to answer? Don't be shy!
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For those of you watching, what do you hope to get from the chat tonight?
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What's the difference between transgender and transsexual? That's always confused me.
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I am a teacher and I have a female student who exhibits "male" qualities, much more so than just being tom boyish. She is treated different and has even been made fun of. How should I handle this in a 1st grade classroom?
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Hi Brian, It seems he is moving in that direction. But has not told us details on where in the transition he is currently. I.e. if he will use a different gender pronoun, go by a feminine name, etc.
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@Felicia You may want to do some age appropriate psychoeducation on gender identity, the continuum of masculine and feminine traits to help normalize the gender expression spectrum for the students. The GLAAD website has a great Transgender 101 section to begin with.
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What percent of people who think they are transgender are directly related to mental illness
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@SandyG Transsexual usually refers to someone who has undergone gender reassignment surgery. However the term is older and not usually preferable. It is best to ask the individual.
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@Brian While someone may have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis, "gender dysphoria" (which replaced Gender Identity Disorder) can be something completely on its own. Many activists in the LGBTQ community object to it being a diagnosis at all.
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@Brian You are usually born with a strong internal sense of your gender. Cisgendered people feel congruent with the genitalia they were born with. Transgender folks have a strong sense they are not, either feeling like the opposite sex or somewhere outside of the gender binary.
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I know Bruce Jenner said he knew since he was little but what scares me is i might wake up one day and want to be a female. Does that happen?
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@Hector I have not heard of that happening. You probably would have feelings leading up to that.
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Can being around and socializing with mainly the opposite sex- when paired with social rejection of the group- cause someone to become transgender
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@Brian I've not really heard of that either. The sense is usually internal and felt, not a result of outside circumstances.
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@Brian, It is difficult to say what the average age is, it varies person to person. As you see Bruce Jenner waited until 65...some children know early on as toddlers.
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I think that Kris Jenner had something to do with Bruce wanting to be female. I mean she demasculated him to no end!
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Can a transgender person ever produce offspring after gender reassignment surgery
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What percent of people in America and in the world indentify as being transgender
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I'm so confused with if your turning yourself into a woman....and your not attracted to the man...so your still attracted to the woman are you considered a lesbian then?
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Can you get gender reassignment surgery at any hospitals or clinics in the USA, or is it illegal to do those operations in America
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How long does the transgender process usually take from start to finish
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How do I know if my brain is more of the opposite sex than what I am
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I'm a single straight guy out here and don't want to date a transgender Is their any way to tell I'm on a date with a dude???
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Have there been transgendered people documented throughout history
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Do you think this will have any impact on his winning of Olympic medals?
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Do you think before such a change that there should be counseling/therapy... before such a huge change
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How much money does it cost to change your gender from start to finish
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I have great admiration for families going through similar situations. I saw a story about a 7 yr. old boy that identifies as a girl. The parents are now faced with the decision to have gender reassignment surgery for the child before he/she goes through puberty. Very difficult decision but forums like this slow help bring awareness.
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For anyone curious here is a short list of resources
www.glaad.org - Allies, Transgender 101
Cleveland:
www.lgbtcleveland.org - support groups of all kinds (bi, gender queer, trans, etc), community events, activities, health resources
www.transfamily.org - under construction currently, message boards, monthly meetings
www.pflagcleveland.org - for family and loved ones
OTHER:
thetrans100.com
www.clevelandpride.org
Pronouns: www.npr.org -
Amy or Xavier....do either of you offer therapy for someone who thinks they're transgender?
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So what's his name now did he officially change his name or is it still Bruce
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Is there an evidence that a mother can have an effect on their baby when it's intrauterine with regards to being transgender?
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That's a wrap! Thanks, everyone, for joining us tonight, and thank you to Amy and Xavier for providing your knowledge and insights. What is the best way for people to reach you if they have further questions?